NORTHWEST COLORADO NEWS FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH

HUNTING 101 CLASS TO BE HELD BY PARKS AND WILDLIFE

New hunters that may not have a mentor and experienced hunters that are looking for an edge are invited to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s free Mule Deer Hunting 101 class, August 27th in Grand Junction. The seminar will cover mule deer habitat, biology, animal distribution, hunting strategies and hunting equipment. Regulations, field dressing techniques and recipes will also be discussed. Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes many hunters don’t participate due to a lack of mentors that can teach them the finer points of hunting. Through the agency’s Hunter Outreach Program, seminars like Mule Deer 101 helps introduce hunting knowledge and traditions to a new generation of Colorado’s sportsmen, including women and youth. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, click here.

NEW SEX OFFENDER LAW MAKES POLICE NERVOUS

Authorities are concerned over a new Colorado law that no longer requires them to track homeless sex offenders. Police are worried that more sex offenders will tell law enforcement agencies that they no longer have home addresses. The new law was intended to prevent police from spending a lot of time trying to find sex offenders who move often and have no permanent home.

FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDS FOR YOUTH SHOOTING ACTIVITIES

Partnered with MidwayUSA Foundation, the Mule Deer Foundation has recently completed a national fundraising effort through its local chapters, donating $257,500 towards youth shooting programs. The donation was made to the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Scholastic Shooting Trust and divided among 77 high schools, universities and other SST programs in 15 MDF active states. The Mule Deer Foundation sees the importance of investing in the future and passing on shooting traditions to the next generation of sportsmen and women. The Foundation shares the shooting, hunting and outdoor traditions through its M.U.L.E.Y. youth shooting program along with other educational initiatives. To learn more about the Foundation’s youth programs, click here.

DEMS FACE NEW CHALLENGES IN RECALL ELECTION

Two Colorado Democrats facing legislative recalls because they supported gun-control measures got a new wrinkle to contend with yesterday. A Denver judge rejected part of a new elections law that said the recalls would be all-mail elections, giving third-party candidates more time to join the races. Denver District Judge Robert McGahey sided with Libertarians who sued to get additional time for third-party candidates. The September 10th recall elections are the first in state history for members of the Legislature. Senators Angela Giron of Pueblo and John Morse of Colorado Springs currently face only Republicans in the recall votes. Colorado’s elections chief says the September 10th recalls will go forward, but not as all-mail elections.

OSPREY TO BE SHOWN OFF THIS WEEKEND AT WYMAN MUSEUM

Those interested in the Osprey at the Wyman Living History Museum can learn about them this weekend. Doctor Allen Rieshus will have a spotting scope set up, and will be able to answer the public’s questions about the bird. There is an adult and three babies at the museum. The event is free and open to the public. Rieshus will be there Sunday evening at 6.

GARFIELD WATERWAYS UP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Six Garfield County streams are being proposed for instream flow protection to protect recreation and fisheries. The Colorado Water Conservation Board is considering recommendations for stretches of the Dry Fork of Roan Creek, Beaver Creek and East Divide Creek. Also up for consideration are the Left Fork of Carr Creek, the East Fork of Parachute Creek and Meadow Creek. State law allows the board to hold in-stream flow rights, subject to limitations ensuring that the state’s rights don’t injure other water rights.